Traction band with integral fasteners

ABSTRACT

A traction band is held in place by integrally attached elastic bands spaced from each other for wrapping around the patient&#39;&#39;s limb, and readily detachable fasteners preferably of the hook and loop type for securing the elastic bands in position around the limb.

l1 Unite States Patent 1111 3,867,930

Brown Feb. 25, 1975 [541 TRACTION BAND WITH INTEGRAL 3,039,459 6/1962Scholl 128/75 X 3,400,710 9 1968 Goldsiein.... FASTENERS 3,477,42811/1969 Hare [76] Inventor: Dora Brown, 509 E. Parkway, 3,728,999 4/1973Thompson 128/84 R F 1t M' .38843 u FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [221Med: May 1973 1,538,563 9/1968 France 128/85 [21] App1.No.:358,413

Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-J. Yasko Cl 12 3,1 [52] U S 8/8 128/84 R Attorney, Agent, or FIrmLaurence, Stokes &Nellan [51] Int. Cl. A6lf 5/04 [58] Field of Search 128/83, 84, 85, 75,DIG. 15, [57] ABSTRACT 128/165, 169; Z/D G 6, 96 A traction band is heldin place by integrally attached elastic bands spaced frofn each otherfor wrap- [56] References Clted ping around the patients limb, andreadily detachable UNITED STATES PATENTS fasteners preferably of thehook and loop type for se- 612,087 10/1898 Boyd 128/85 curing theelastic bands in position around the limb. 2,808,052 10/1957 Walchef....2,854,000 9/1958 Anderson 128/84 R 2 Clam, 2 Drawmg Flames PATENTEDFEBZSIEIFS TRACTION BAND WITI-ll INTEGRAL FASTENERS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to a traction band or stripwhich is capable of being attached to the limb of a patient so thattraction applying means may be attached thereto to apply tension afterthe limb has been set.

Heretofore, devices for attachment to a tensioning apparatus werecustomarily attached to the patients fractured limb using ordinarysurgical adhesive tape. This approach is undesirable because of thepainful consequences which frequently result, for example, due toallergic reactions by the patient or due to the removal of the upperlayer of skin on removing the tape after a long duration of use. Thisapproach is also disadvantageous since it does not permit ventilation ofthe wrapped portion of the limb, and the adhesive tape does not providecushioning for the comfort of the pa tient.

Other approaches have utilized traction bands which have been providedwith a spongy material for improving the patients comfort and with meansfor adhesively securing the traction band to the limb. The use of an acebandage wrapped around a traction band having a layer of adhesive of thepressure sensitive type on its inner surface for attachment to the limbhas also been proposed in the prior art.

In general, these approaches have been subject to one or more drawbackssuch as still adhesively securing the traction band directly to thepatients skin, using a system which is uncomfortable and provides poorventilation or which is difficult to apply and adjust. In addition, suchprior art systems included components which were not durable or washableand comprised several separate parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the presentinvention to provide an improved traction band of a durable one-piececonstruction. Another principal object of the invention is to provide atraction band which may be readily applied and removed from the limbwithout causing discomfort to the patient.

Briefly, a presently preferred embodiment of the invention comprises amulti-ply fabric tension band which may be secured on opposite sides ofthe limb, especially a leg, with a loop formed at the distal end of thelimb for attachment of a conventional tensioning system via a spreaderbar. Integral with the longitudinally extending tension band are aplurality of trans versely extending elastic securing bands which arepermanently attached to the two halves of the traction band to keepthese strips in proper alignment when in use. The elastic bands, afterbeing wrapped around the limb, are secured in place by detachablefasteners, preverably by interengagement of hook and loop type fabricfasteners. To facilitate removal of the device, it is presentlypreferred that a longitudinally extending opening strip or cordinterconnect the elastic bands. In this way, a pull on the upper elasticband to open it also detaches the fastening elements of the remainingelas tie bands at the same time.

This one-piece construction traction band is made of material whichallows ventilation therethrough. In addition, the material is durableand washable.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the inventionwill become more apparent as this description proceeds when consideredin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is essentially a perspectiveview ofa presently preferred embodiment of a tension band of theinvention shown in position on the foot of a patient with a portionofone elastic band broken away for the sake of clarity.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the tension band of FIG. I folded flat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawingswherein like reference numerals refer to like and corresponding parts inthe several views, reference numeral 10 generally designates theintegral tension band and fastener apparatus of the invention. Thetraction band itself is comprised of a three-ply soft, flexible,non-adhesive cotton flannel strip having longitudinallyextendingportions l2 and 14 connected to each other at their lower by aloop 16 which is disposed beneath the heel of the foot 17 of thepatient.

Three transversely extending elastic bands 18, 20 and 22 are integrallyconnected to the opposite edges of traction band portions 12 and 14 ofthe traction band by longitudinal rows of stitching 23. These elasticbands are preferably made of the same type material utilized in makingelastic bandages and are utilized to secure the traction band to thelimb. As shown in the drawings, the lengths of the elastic bands 18, 20and 22 progressively decrease towards the loop 16. Thus, when thetension band is applied to the leg of the pa tient the longer upperelastic band 18 is wrapped around a thicker part of the limb than themiddle elastic band 20, and the lower, smallest elastic band 22 isintended to be fastened around the ankle ofthe patient with the loop 16being beneath the heel of the foot for attachment to a spreader bar. Thespreader bar may be connected to any conventional traction systemincluding a series of weights and pulleys (not shown).

Attached to the inside surface of the left end of the elastic bands 18,20 and 22 are fasteners 24 which are intended to be detachably connected.to complementary fasteners 26 on the outside of the other ends of theelastic bands. The complementary fasteners 24 and 26 preferably consistof strips of loop type fasteners cooperating with strips of hook typefasteners respectively. Material used in making such fasteners iscommercially available under the Trademark Velcro. Typical fasteners ofthis type are disclosed in de Mestral, U.S. Pat. No. 2,717,437.

In use, the patients foot is placed in the loop 16 and thelongitudinally extending portions, 12 and 14 of the traction band arepositioned along opposite sides of the patients leg to protect thenerves in the leg. The elasticity of bands 18, 20 and 22 permits theproper positioning of portions 12 and 14. It should be observed that thedistance between portions 12 and I4 progressively increases in an upwarddirection to compensate for the increasing circumference of the leg inan up ward direction. With the tensioning band in proper po' sition,elastic bands 18, 20 and 22 are now stretched about the leg and thebands are fastened in position by interengaging the respective fasteners24 and 26. These elastic bands are stretchable not only to facilitateputting on the device but also for the comfort of the patient and sothat circulation in the limb is not adversely affected. In the absenceof such stretch, a tight binding about the leg could cause swelling andpotentially severe complications.

A thin cotton fabric rib 28 is sewn to the left ends of elastic bands18, and 22 adjacent the fasteners 24. lf one of the ends of the elasticbands, for example, the end of the larger, upper elastic band 18 ispulled to detach the fasteners 24, 26 of this band; the rib 28 acts inthe nature of a rip-cord to simultaneously detach the fasteners ofelastic bands 20 and 22. In this way, the patient is able to open all ofthe fasteners even though the patient may only be able to convenientlyreach the end of the upper elastic band 18. This quick release featureis especially advantageous in the event of an emergency, for example,should it be necessary to evacuate the patient. Because of the rib 28the patient is able to quickly disconnect himself from the tensioningsystem even without the services of an attendant.

While a presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been shownand described with particularity, various changes and modifications maysuggest themselves to those of ordinary skill in the art upon beingapprised of the present invention. It is intended to encompass all suchchanges and modifications as fall within the scope and spirit of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for use in placing a limb in traction comprising a tractionband having a central loop and having a pair of longitudinally extendingsoft, flexible,

portions intended to be positioned along opposite sides of the limb, aplurality of transversely extending securing bands of a length to extendaround the limb integrally connected to each of said longitudinallyextending portions of said traction band, cooperating fastener meanslocated adjacent the ends of each transversely extending securing bandand detachably engageable with each other upon the respective securingband being fastened around the limb, said securing bands being spacedfrom each other longitudinally along said longitudinally extendingportions, and further comprising rip cord means connected to ends ofsaid securing bands adjacent the fasteners at one end thereof to enableeach of said securing bands to be opened by pulling on said rip cordmeans.

2. Apparatus for use in placing a limb in traction comprising a tractionband having a central loop portion and having a pair of longitudinallyextending soft, flexible portions intended to be positioned alongopposite sides of the limb, said traction band being comprised of amultiple ply fabric material, a plurality of transversely extendingsecuring bands made of elastic material and ofa length to extend aroundthe limb, said securing bands being sewn to said longitudinallyextending portions of said traction band at spaced points along saidsecuring bands to provide intermediate portions of said securing bandsdisposed between and connecting said longitudinally extending portionsof said traction band to each other, the opposite ends of said securingbands extending beyond the respective longitudinally extending portionsof said traction band, said securing bands being of progressivelydecreasing length in a direction towards the loop portion of saidtraction band, and cooperating hook and loop type fasteners locatedadjacent the ends of each securing band on opposite sides thereof anddetachably engageable with each other upon the respective securing bandbeing fastened around the limb.

1. Apparatus for use in placing a limb in traction comprising a tractionband having a central loop and having a pair of longitudinally extendingsoft, flexible, portions intended to be positioned along opposite sidesof the limb, a plurality of transversely extending securing bands of alength to extend around the limb integrally connected to each of saidlongitudinally extending portions of said traction band, cooperatingfastener means located adjacent the ends of each transversely extendingsecuring band and detachably engageable with each other upon therespective securing band being fastened around the limb, said securingbands being spaced from each other longitudinally along saidlongitudinally extending portions, and further comprising rip cord meansconnected to ends of said securing bands adjacent the fasteners at oneend thereof to enable each of said securing bands to be opened bypulling on said rip cord means.
 2. Apparatus for use in placing a limbin traction comprising a traction band having a central loop portion andhaving a pair of longitudinally extending soft, flexible portionsintended to be positioned along opposite sides of the limb, saidtraction band being comprised of a multiple ply fabric material, aplurality of transversely extending securing bands made of elasticmaterial and of a length to extend around the limb, said securing bandsbeing sewn to said longitudinally extending portions of said tractionband at spaced points along said securing bands to provide intermediateportions of said securing bands disposed between and connecting saidlongitudinally extending portions of said traction band to each other,the opposite ends of said securing bands extending beyond the respectivelongitudinally extending portions of said traction band, said securingbands being of progressively decreasing length in a direction towardsthe loop portion of said traction band, and cooperating hook and looptype fasteners located adjacent the ends of each securing band onopposite sides thereof and detachably engageable with each other uponthe respective securing band being fastened around the limb.